Christian Flag

THE CHRISTIAN FLAG
Symbolic Emblem invented by a Pious Coney Islander.
He Wants it Adopted as the Standard of Christianity, Irrespective of Nation and Creed – A Growing Movement.

Now we have the Christian flag—that is, a flag designed to be the common
standard of Christians the world over, irrespective of nationality or creed.
Charles C. Overton, superintendent of the Sunday school of Brighton chapel,
Coney Island, is responsible for the innovation, and he is deeply interested in
spreading the movement.
So greatly interested is he that he has had a large quantity of little but-
tons made similar to those so frequently seen during political campaigns,
each containing on its surface a miniature reproduction of the flag.
The Christian Flag Extension society has also been organized, for the purpose of
giving the matter wide publicity.
The flag, a number of which have already been made, is symbolic.
The ground is white, representing peace, purity and innocence. In one of the
upper corners is a square of blue, the color of the unclouded sky, a symbol of
faith and trust. In the center of the blue is a cross, the chosen symbol of
Christianity, the color being red, typical of Christ's blood.
A hymn, called "The Christian Flag", has been dedicated to the movement,
the words of which were written by Fanny J. Crosby, with music composed
by R. Huntington Woodman. One verse is as follows:

The Christian flag! God bless it!
Now throw it to the breeze,
And may it wave triumphant
O'er land and distant seas,
Till all the wide creation
Upon its fold shall gaze,
And all the world united
Our loving Saviour praise.

Copies of the hymn have been sent to band masters all over the country, with
a request that the music be arranged as a march and played upon appropriate
occasions. The request has met with many favorable replies:
A circular descriptive of the movement has also been sent to the superintendents
of Sunday schools, with a view to securing widespread cooperation.
The owners of several large excursion steamers have ordered the Christian flag
for their vessels to be flaunted to the breeze when carrying Sunday school
excursions.
The idea of a Christian flag occurred to Mr. Overton on last
Children's day [13 June 1897]*. Each scholar was furnished with a small American
flag, and a parade was inaugurated. A few hours later a convention of liquor
dealers was marched over the same ground, and by a strange coincidence
each man carried an American flag of exactly the same size as those which the
Sunday school children had carried.
In speaking of the occurrence Mr. Overton said he was at once struck by
the thought that a distinctive emblem was needed which might be symbolic
of Christianity. And in this he meant no disrespect to the American flag.
It was simply that the Stars and Stripes are too far reaching.
"There can be no opposition to the assertion that nothing awakens such
enthusiasm and emotion as a flag", said Mr. Overton. "An army without its colors
is inconceivable; then why not equip the army of the Lord with a flag appro-
priate to its mission? I would suggest that upon the standard that carries the
flag a crown might replace the eagle or spear, emblematic of the reward await-
ing the faithful."

(PDF with original front page ^source)

"Within recent years (1897) a flag has been designed
which shall stand as an emblem, which all Christian
nations and various denominations may rally in allegiance
and devotion. This banner is called the Christian flag. It
was originated by Charles C. Overton of Brooklyn, N.Y.,
whose first thought of it came to him while addressing a
Sunday school at a rally day service. The flag is most
symbolic. The ground is white, representing peace, purity,
and innocence. In the upper corner is a blue square, the
color of the unclouded sky, emblematic of heaven, the
home of the Christian; also a symbol of faith and trust
[and some say the waters of baptism]. In the center of the
blue is the cross, the ensign and chosen symbol of
Christianity: the cross is red, typical of Christ's blood. [...]
Mr. Overton has dedicated his flag to the Christian world,
refusing to copyright or patent it. It stands for no creed or
denomination, but for Christianity. Every sect of Christ's
followers can indorse this flag and it is equally appropriate
for all nations. The hymn written by Fanny Crosby is also
dedicated to the free use and followers of Christ the world over."
(source, source)

"The Christian flag is not patented, and is free from
commercialism. Anyone may manufacture it, and it
may be used on all proper occasions. Christian flags
may be displayed at conventions, conferences, church
demonstrations, and parades, and with the American
flag may be used for general decorative purposes.
For boys' and girls' societies and clubs and for the
church school, especially on program occasions, the
two flags may be presented and saluted."

The whole excerpt:  part 1   part 2   part 3   part 4
(source: hathitrust.org)

Variant Flag

located by Andrew Bienhaus, 9 May 2010
(source)

This variant of the Christian flag bears a red knight in the fly. We do not know if this flag has any special meaning or is a local variant. One of this kind was spotted in southern Ontario.
It's only a guess, but the flag might have been made up as a flag for a local Christian school, probably somewhere in the US. I would also guess that the emblem in the fly would be that of a "Crusader" which used to be a popular mascot name among Christian schools. For obvious reasons, the "Crusader" nickname has fallen out of vogue.
I found the white fimbriation around the cross interesting as it doesn't exist on any Christian flag that I have ever seen. And, the blue is too "royal blue" compared to most Christian flags which are generally made with a darker US flag blue or UK flag blue. The flag does appear to be printed, meaning that a bunch of them would have been made.
Clay Moss, 9 May 2010

Flags in Use

Christian Flag Swag

See also:   SWAG in Dictionary of Vexillology

"Could someone please close that window?"

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